Tear gas used during peaceful protest in Venezuela as people demand unpopular president ousted

Venezuela's opposition supporters marched through Caracas, chanting "freedom", demanding that election officials start counting signatures for a vote to recall unpopular President Nicolas Maduro. Those demonstrating have claimed the recall referendum has reached 1.85 million signatures, far more than the required 1% (almost 200,000) needed to trigger the next phase.

A woman against Venezuelan Nicolas Maduro's presidency takes part in a demonstration next to members of the National Guard in CaracasFederico Parra/AFP

The Democratic Unity coalition has continued to push for the ousting of President Maduro, as the country's economic crisis worsens. Food and medicine shortages, triple-digit inflation, power cuts, crime rates and lack of water have stoked anger against the president.

"Once again, the National Guard is blocking the [people's] will, [blocking] the people who have decided on change this year. The message I am giving, not only to Venezuela, but to the whole world, is that Venezuela doesn't have enough weapons to defeat us," the deputy of the opposition, Juan Requesens told Reuters.

A National Guard member has his vest splattered with blood during clashes with demonstrators in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPAn opposition supporter falls as she clashes with Venezuelan National Guards during a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters

In what was supposed to be a peaceful protest, demonstrators were fired upon with tear gas by police as they waved flags and blew whistles during their march towards an electoral building, which they never managed to reach due to police cordoning it off. Opposition congress president Henry Ramos condemned the use of tear gas, saying that it was unacceptable that anyone be hurt during the protests.

Members of the Venezuelan National Guard form a line during an opposition demonstration in CaracasJuan Baretto/AFPOpponents to the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demonstrate in front of a line of riot police in CaracasFederico Parra/AFPMen demonstrating against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro clash with riot police during a protest in CaracasFederico Parra/AFP

If the signatures are counted, a new election would be held this year. According to Reuters, a recent poll showed almost 70 percent of Venezuelans wanted Maduro out, yet the electoral authority has said that it will have to wait weeks before starting to count the signatures.

Venezuelan opposition activists ignite flames in their clash with the police during a demonstration in San CristobalGeorge Castellanos/AFPAn injured man lies on the street next to National Guard members during a demonstration in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPA member of the National Guard gestures during clashes with members of the opposition during a demonstration in CaracaFederico Parra/AFPAn injured man lies on the street next to National Guard members during a demonstration in CaracasFederico Parra/AFPOpposition supporters clash with riot policemen during a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, VenezuelaCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersOpposition supporters carry an injured man during clashes with riot policemen in a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasMarco Bello/ReutersAn opposition supporter puts stickers depicting the country's constitution on a Venezuelan National Guard truck during a rally against President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasMarco Bello/ReutersA riot policeman fires into the air during clashes with opposition supporters at a rally demanding a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersAn opposition supporter stands in front of Venezuelan National Guards in a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasMarco Bello/ReutersVenezuelan opposition leader and Miranda State governor Henrique Capriles raises his arms during a demonstration in front of members of the National Police in CaracasJuan Barreto/AFPOpposition supporters shout slogans to Venezuelan National Guards through a fence, during a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersAn opposition supporter is comforted in front of Venezuelan National Guards in a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasMarco Bello/ReutersAn opposition supporters holding a sign that reads: "I recall" shouts during a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersAn opposition supporter kneels in front of riot policemen during a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasCarlos Garcia Rawlins/ReutersAn opposition supporter covers his face from tear gas during clashes with riot policemen in a rally to demand a referendum to remove President Nicolas Maduro in CaracasMarco Bello/ReutersA Venezuelan opposition activist holds up the national flag to bank of riot police during a demonstration in San CristobalGeorge Castellanos/AFPVenezuelan opposition activists clash with the police during a demonstration in San CristobalGeorge Castellanos/AFPOpponents to the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro demonstrate in front of a line of riot police in CaracasFederico Parra/AFPVenezuelan opposition leader and Miranda State governor Henrique Capriles reacts to tear gas during a demonstration in CaracasFederico Parra/ AFP